I’m pretty astute about language, and I don’t think I’m wrong to infer that Julia implied that AmFam’s decision to teach her child about eggs and sperm was a step in “starting out her [sex] career.”

I disagree with Julia’s analogy. I believe that introducing your child to the facts of life at a young age is the equivalent of introducing your child to information about alcohol at a young age — that it physically affects the brain; that young brains are still developing so the effects can be quite profound and dangerous; that for some or many people, it is addictive; that if you choose to drink alcohol when you are legally allowed, you should never ever drive, and you should drink in moderation.

Because I drink wine occasionally and my husband drinks beer, I have already had to use age-appropriate language to explain to my children why no, this is an adult beverage. I could have just said, “because you cannot, and I said so,” but I believe this would not be as effective a teaching strategy as answering the questions more fully, albeit using ideas and concepts that my six-year olds can understand. I could also never drink alcohol in front of my children, and engage in some magical thinking of my own about where and when they might encounter alcohol “out there in the world,” but I’m a cynic — plus, I read the statistics about when children are first encouraged by friends or dealers to try drugs and alcohol.

It’s true that my “oh my GAWD” statement was mildly inflammatory. Frankly, I’m always surprised when the reader of an intelligent blog such as AmFam’s shows such a startling lack of familiarity with the current best standards of parenting, as supported by pediatricians and sex educators. Perhaps I should simply have said that, instead.

But I don’t think I’m the one who wanted to see a trainwreck in progress.